Messengers

After Yom Kippur, the three days of fast the Jewish congregation holds for repentance and fasting, I went to Vallarpadam on Tuesday. The Sun was breaking out of the clouds in short bursts which has been a relief from the 3 weeks of rain and grey days which was made even more gloomier by the fast growth of Corona cases in our Kerala. There were hardly anybody at the church except for an elderly gentleman who warmly responded to my greetings. 

Sometimes, God speaks to us through others what we need to know most. Of the many things he told me during our very interesting conversation what delighted me most was his interpretation of worship. He asked me whenever you come to church worship and adore God through Psalms and hymns before you go into recitals and prayers for favours. He also offered me a few words of simple praise and worship he keeps repeating. 

Yes indeed, God tell us, through the least expected means what we need to hear the most. 

Praise you God, the creator of heaven and earth, praise you Jesus, our way and truth to God, hallelujah! 

Sunday with Mary and Meenakshi Amma

The rain was raging all through the week. Fortunately, on Sunday, at noon, the sky cleared for a long while and I could join those who visited Vallarpadam. There were quite a few though the church continued to remain closed. Meanwhile in the parish church behind the Basilica a local sweethearts were getting married and the whole event in the Corona safety settings became so novel an idea in its simplicity. 

Sometimes, I wonder, what is that make me go to Vallarapadam Basilica on every Sunday and whenever possible. Is it the service or the miracles or the grandeur of the church itself...

I guess its an emotion I feel, the carefree, happy, secured, peaceful...

A happy family who brought their newborn to Mary along with the grandparents were gratefully offering their gratitude for the blessing and the sight of them earnestly thanking God was very inspirational. The young mother beamed a hearty smile at me which warmed my heart and made me wish that all those childless couples who seek Mary's help would one day soon get an opportunity to visit here smiling with the happiness of their wish being fulfilled.  

On the way back rode quickly to the Lady of Hope at Vypeen before it started raining again just to have a look around. The pandemic has wrecked the small town of Vypeen just like any other town of the Pandemic hit world and as I rode back all I could think was when will this tragedy end and folks can go back to their work and means of bread, normally 

Sunday

We had one low pressure in the Arabian sea in the previous week which did not bother us in Kochi that much but the low pressure in Bay of Bengal did brought a lot of rain to our town. During a short break in the rain on Sunday I rode to Vallarpadam. Inspite of the rain there were few visitors to the church, some of them were the parents of students who came from far away towns to attempt the under graduate National Eligibility cum Entrance Test. 

One such parent gave me the opportunity to explain the life of Meenakshi Amma at Vallarpadam. A pleasant experience to recollect Meenakshi Amma and her graceful life. 

I felt lucky that I could go to Vallarpadam and spent my "Quiet Time" today inspite of the Pandemic and the rain and remembered all those who wanted to but couldn't. 

while I was about to finish my time it rained again and I waited for a hour for the rain to stop. Though I could use the time well in the quiet solitude outside the closed church, I couldn't help thinking about the disastrous effect the pandemic is having on all our lives; if the people couldn't come for worship, especially those of us who need that spiritual refuelling every week, what purpose all these precautions will serve, as our minds and thoughts are gradually degrading and lead us to disaster eventually. 

Third visit in the months of Pandemic

There were some visitors today on the second Onam at the lady of Ransom. 

I have hardly seen much people around the church in the last six months of which the first three have been compulsory lock down. Nice change, hopefully life will get back to normal even though the pandemic is raging. 

Though strangers, feeling happy to remember those who came to the closed church today and prayed together standing  quietly outside, everybody lost  in their own world, offering to God, in their prayers the reasons for what brought them here. 

Thank you my Lord, for the renewing spirit, which was the need of the hour, help us deal with the tolls and worries of these days. We pray your grace stays with us and help us in thinking and doing what ought to be.